Team Red, White & Blue’s Post

Did you know that tug of war was once an Olympic sport? It featured in the Summer Olympics from 1900 to 1920. Interestingly, countries could enter multiple teams in the competition, allowing them to sweep the podium. In 1904, the United States achieved this feat, winning all three medals, and in 1908, British teams took all the top spots. Curious about other sports no longer included in the Olympic games? Find out more in our upcoming resource, The Olympic Movement: Sport, Global Politics and Identity: https://okt.to/Kb1oyP

Success is constantly evolving! Carl Lewis was a superstar in the 1980s and 1990s, winning nine Olympic gold medals and setting an astounding 100-meter record of 9.92 seconds. At this year's Olympics, Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville matched that time, but finished last. What's the lesson here? Success is a dynamic concept. What was remarkable yesterday is now the norm. To succeed in sports, business, or personal ambitions, we must constantly push our limits and embrace new techniques. #success #constancy #outstanding #sustainability #Numbers_always_talk.

While there have been many displays of grit at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris, one in particular will remain etched in my memory -- Britain’s Tom Pidcock's mountain bike race to victory. If you missed it, here are the highlights. Pidcock had to make an unplanned pit stop on his third lap (in this 8-lap event) to replace a flat tire, which put him way behind the leaders and almost certainly out of the running for a stellar finish. With five laps to go, he jumped back in and is quoted as telling himself, “There’s no point in stressing over it, is there? That’s not going to get me back to the front.” Pidcock gave it his all. Fast forward to the final lap of the 22-mile race, and Pidcock was in the number two position, following the top-ranked mountain biker in the world. When the leader had an unlucky break, Pidcock jumped to the lead to claim the gold for Great Britain. You can check out the details here: https://lnkd.in/gxsp7q2k. I have an observation from Pidcock's surprising comeback that I believe applies to us as business leaders. With so much uncertainty in our environment, a catastrophe in the early stages of a project or career isn't always fatal. But it does require grit -- including an abundance of mental toughness -- to make a comeback. If you've got a personal comeback story, I'd love to hear about it over a cup of coffee.

Did We Miss Something in Bryson’s Victory? Beyond the obvious, what truly fuelled Bryson DeChambeau's resurgence? 18 months ago, Bryson DeChambeau described himself as lost. Today, he’s a two-time Major winner, holding the US Open trophy, with a runner-up at the PGA Championship and a T6 at the Masters in recent months. There's no denying that Bryson is on a remarkable run. While many focus on his long drives, touch around the greens, unique putting style, and technical calculations, we might be overlooking a critical factor in his comeback. One line from Bryson's post-match interview caught my attention as a fan (and certified golfing hack) with more than a passing interest in how performance is shaped. He credited his caddie, Greg Bodine, with “getting me to realise what life is about. It’s not just all about golf”. Excuse me? There’s no doubt that Bryson’s turnaround has been uniquely influenced by his commitment and dedication to the science of golf and committing 100% of his presence to performance enhancement. But skill alone isn't the differentiator at the pointy end of performance. Whether in elite sports, business, military, emergency services, or even parenting, the difference makers are a combination of what happens between your ears and what you do in the unseen hours to make sure that six inches of space is capable of delivering in the most testing of times. Many define themselves by their craft, intrinsically linking what they do with who they are. So tightly wrapped around performance that their self-esteem becomes dictated by external outcomes rather than internal purpose. Such people worry perilously about what winning and losing say about them. That a promotion dictates their value to the world and what every other parent's judgement says about their ability to raise a child. These people are also those who struggle to understand WHO they are without referencing what they do, and often find themselves unwilling to spend time alone in their own mind. A solely performance-focused approach can lead to short-term success but is rarely sustainable. Sure, the top performers are obsessed with their craft, but they also cultivate a broader purpose. They work hard in the unseen hours and spend time away from their craft to enhance their presence when they engage. This shift from external validation to internal confidence transfers the fear of judgment into flow. If you thrive on challenging yourself, try this. Ask yourself: who are you away from work, away from the field, or away from being a spouse or parent? That's how champions are made. #BrysonDeChambeau #Golf #USOpen #PeakPerformance #Leadership #ChampionMindset #MentalStrength

EDITION #13: How Can We Carry The Torch? On Friday the 26th July, the #Olympics torch wound its way through the lively streets of Paris and the heart of the Olympic Village before arriving at the Olympic Ceremony. The Olympic Torch relay is responsible for respecting the past, protecting the present and leaving the world in a better place. We may not all good a chance to carry the Olympic Torch, but we all get Carry The Torch in life. Like Jongka, a tradition in Korea where the eldest son’s role is to keep their family lineage alive, or debuting as the next All Black rugby player you have a responsibility to leave the jersey in a better place, we all have a responsibility to Carry The Torch and leave the world in a better place. To Carry The Torch is about continuing a legacy and building succession. You have the responsibility to receive the torch, Carry The Torch and pass the torch. Find out more by reading the latest THE MIDWEEK MINDreSET newsletter https://lnkd.in/guV7VrQ7 #leadership #mindset #highperformance #legacy #inspiringgreatleaders

## Jim Thorpe’s Disqualification: A Tale of Triumph and Injustice 🌟🏅 Jim Thorpe, often hailed as the greatest athlete of his time, made history at the 1912 Stockholm Olympics by winning gold in both the pentathlon and decathlon. His unparalleled athletic prowess and iconic moments, like winning the high jump in mismatched shoes, cemented his legendary status. Yet, Thorpe's achievements were overshadowed by a significant controversy. ### 🏅 The Golden Era Thorpe's feats were nothing short of extraordinary. The King of Sweden himself dubbed him the greatest athlete in the world. His Olympic performances set records that lasted well into the 20th century, showcasing his versatility and dominance across multiple sports. ### 🚫 Disqualification Drama However, Thorpe’s Olympic success was marred by the IOC's rigid and, at times, discriminatory rules on amateurism. The IOC disqualified him, citing violations of their Victorian-era standards—rules that were frequently bent or ignored by white athletes without consequence. This decision was seen as elitist and racially biased, casting a shadow over Thorpe's accomplishments. ### ⚖️ A Long Road to Justice Despite the initial disqualification, Thorpe’s legacy remained a point of contention. After significant pressure from supporters and a reevaluation of his case, the IOC finally returned his medals in the early 1980s, acknowledging the injustice. Jim Thorpe’s story is a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by athletes of color and the ongoing struggle for fairness in sports. #JimThorpe #OlympicHistory #Stockholm1912 #AthleticLegend #IOCControversy #DisqualificationDrama #AmateurismRules #SportsInjustice #ThorpeMedals #LegacyRestored

As a big track & field (a.k.a. athletics) fan, I often get frustrated when people who don’t understand the sport put their ignornance on display. I saw so many comments on social media about Kishane Thompson getting robbed in the 100. That Noah Lyles did not deserve to win. But track has clear rules. The winner of a race is the one whose torso crosses the line first. Not the foot. Not the hand. Not the head. Only the torso counts. And photo-finish technology makes it impossible to make an error. This technology tells you the place and time of every runner in the race. In this video, Ato Boldon, who I think is the best track & field commentator and analyst, does an excellent job of explaining the race.

Feeling so inspired by Evan Wilkerson, one of our amazing K12 students! It's incredible to see our students achieving such extraordinary goals. Go, Evan! 🏊🌟 #K12 #STRIDE #students #k12students #2024 #Paralympic #2024paralympicgames #paralympicgames #Northcarolinavirtualacademy #2023ParapanAmericanGames #silvermedal #paralympics #virtualacademy #visuallyimpaied #swimmer #swimmertraining

Earlier today, i witnessed the return of the #Netherlands #Olympic team to Rotterdam! With an impressive haul of 34 medals, they've secured the 6th spot globally. Huge congratulations! 👏🏽🇳🇱 The Olympics is more than just a competition—it's a celebration of dedication, sportsmanship, and the incredible power of unity. Athletes from around the world come together, not just to compete, but to showcase the pinnacle of human effort and cooperation. Yet this year, I found myself unable to watch the competitions. Something felt off…. Have we forgotten the true spirit of the Olympics? It seems our focus has shifted to "Me, Me, Me"—my safety, my money, my views. Are we losing sight of what truly matters? Today's leaders often seem to envision a future for only a select few. We need a new vision—one that embraces balance and inclusivity. A world where accountability matters, where supporting actions like genocide is met with consequence, and where true unity is at the forefront. What steps can we taken to move in this direction? #Olympics #Unity #Change #Rotterdam #Leadership #sportsmanship

0.005 seconds….. This razor-thin margin between victory and defeat is a powerful reminder of how minimal differences can lead to monumental outcomes. In the thrilling climax of the 2024 Paris Olympics, American sprinter Noah Lyles won the gold in the 100 meters, narrowly beating Jamaican Kishane Thompson by just 0.005 seconds. Competition drives athletes to push their limits, and the difference between standing on the podium and falling short can be measured in fractions of a second. This isn't just about speed—it's about every tiny improvement, every bit of effort, and every strategic decision made along the way. It’s about thinking big, being all in, and giving everything you’ve got. For Noah Lyles, it was the culmination of intense preparation, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. It’s a testament to how marginal gains, often overlooked, can define the boundaries between winning and not winning. 1. Noah Lyles (USA) - 9.784 2. Kishane Thompson (JAM) - 9.789 3. Fred Kerley (USA) - 9.81 4. Akani Simbine (RSA) - 9.82 Whether in sports, business, or life, the smallest details can make the biggest difference from being 1st or coming in last. #OlympicGames #paris2024